Spring seems to awaken everything to new life—flowers blossom, the sun sets later each day, and all of nature starts buzzing in anticipation of another season. But for those of us with seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing fits, burning eyes, and a runny nose that never seems to stop. For so many people, seasonal allergy not only takes away the season's beauty but also some enjoyment.
Hello Spring
It's ironic that the very beauty of this season, which blossoms with new life, should be dreaded by those of us who suffer from allergies. A short stroll through any park during this period can easily become an ordeal of sneezing and panting for a breath of fresh air. But here's some good news: You don’t have to spend the entire season holed up indoors. With proper techniques, including modifying your lifestyle a little bit, it's quite possible to alleviate your allergies and smell the roses again.
Tree Pollen Allergies?
First, some basics: trees produce pollen when they are reproducing. Unlike the insect-mode of flower pollination, which mostly imitates with color and nectar to attract bees or other insects to carry back its seeds for germination, a tree relies on wind. That means large amounts of pollen are sent into the air for long-distance travel, hence many individuals suffering from hay fever in spring blame themselves too little or no flowers with lovely fragrance but instead big fat trees nearby their homes such as willow, oak, pines, sugar maple, and others. There’s nothing wrong with these attractive graces as long as one knows what price we might have to pay in return.
For those without allergies, tree pollen is as harmless as apple blossom. But to those of us with sensitive immune systems, it becomes an enemy. When we inhale too much of this foreign substance, our bodies send out histamines in response; these cause symptoms like sneezing attacks, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes because they’re trying to get rid of the irritant that blinds our sight in order to make their own kind in comfort.
The point is that tree pollen does not just cause allergic reactions in spring. Depending on where you live, it can begin as early as late winter and extend into summer, consigning allergy sufferers to almost half the year of discomfort.
The Trees Most Likely to Trigger Allergic Reactions
Not all trees are equally capable of causing allergies. Some trees produce significantly more pollen than others do and are therefore usual suspects for seasonal allergy attacks.
Oak Trees Oak trees are stout and majestic, but when it comes to pollen, their blooms are literally a menace. The amount of pollen released in spring, particularly April and May, can be quite heavy as well as directly offensive; on a windy spring day with such trees nearby, one could walk out into a cloud where its particulates touch your skin. It’s an oak tree that probably causes this sensation.
Birch Trees Birch trees are beautiful, but their pollen is even lighter and more easily picked up by the wind. Even if you don’t have any leaves on your own property but live near them, as many people do these days in cities across America, there’s still a good chance of being affected. If you live in the north and have allergies, birch pollen is an ever-present irritant.
Maple Trees Maples also produce large amounts of pollen, particularly in spring. Their bright autumn leaves may be iconic, but the spring-time spawn can set off serious reactions in those who suffer from allergies to airborne particles. Silver maples and boxelders—which produce an even heavier pollen—are especially infamous in this regard.
Pine Trees Unlike other trees, pine trees are conspicuous precisely because of the large amount of yellow pollen they constantly emit. It is necessary to squint your eyes and look closely, but clouds of pine pollen seem more apparent now than at any previous quarter or era. The tiniest items in the outdoor world are every bit as heavily coated with yellow powder as those larger leaves told perhaps not just a story so many years ago about lushness which had once been yours to see over there but now just looked on and thought longingly of its own future—all covered in glistening golden yolk. Pine tree allergies are not as awful as those caused by most other trees on this list, but they can still cause mild symptoms in people with pollen allergies.
Cedar Trees If you live in Texas or the surrounding area, chances are you’ve heard of the terrible “cedar fever.” When the mountain cedar tree releases its pollen load, it can cause symptoms that feel more like flu than an allergy. It is a harsh tree, and its pollen will often make one suffer immensely during the fall season of heavy plant proliferation.
How to Survive Tree Pollen Season
Now that we've named the key offenders, let's talk about how to beat these guys. Over the years, everything that I have tried has aimed in some way at keeping my allergies under control. Here is what worked:
Keep an Eye on Pollen Counts One of the greatest things I ever did in my life for managing my allergies was to start looking up daily pollen counts. Apps like Pollen.com or the weather app on your phone give forecasts for pollen levels, letting you know if it is likely to be a high-pollen day. On days when counts are high, try staying indoors as much as possible; if you must go out, keep your windows closed and go to the restroom before leaving. On lower-pollen days, feel free to enjoy a bit more time outdoors.
Time Your Outdoor Activities Wisely Pollen levels are typically highest in the early morning, generally between 5 and 10 a.m. If you can, schedule outdoor activities for later in the day when pollen counts start to go down instead of up. Avoiding outdoor exposure during high-pollen periods can significantly reduce your symptoms.
Create a Pollen-Free Zone Indoors Pollen doesn't stop at the door—it follows you indoors. To keep your home as pollen-free as possible, keep your windows closed on high-pollen days. A good air purifier with a HEPA filter can help to keep out any pollen that might find its way in. And a personal rule for me is this: once I come inside, change your clothes and have a shower to get rid of any pollen you have picked up outside.
Sunglasses and Masks Have Their Uses Sunglasses also serve as a physical barrier against pollen. They protect your eyes. I've even taken to wearing an N95 mask when I go out. The mask may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but it's worth it as it may prevent you from inhaling all that pollen.
Choose Allergy-Friendly Landscaping If you're planning to plant new trees in your yard or do some landscaping, choose types that produce less pollen. Species such as dogwoods, redbuds, and magnolias are much less likely to trigger allergies than oaks or maples. Replacing a few problematic trees in my yard with allergy-friendly options made a big difference in my condition.
Allergy Relief: What Really Works?
Even the most successful preventive regimen may not be able to stave off those days when you have to reach for the backup plan against sneezing and itchy eyes.
Over-the-Counter Medications
If I'm having trouble with sneezing, a runny nose, or congestion, I find antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra a godsend. These drugs not only give you relief from most allergy symptoms by blocking the histamine response, but they also reduce your chances of becoming drowsy. And I’m also convinced that a couple of squirts of Flonase or Nasacort in each nostril are indispensable. With these sprays, the swelling and crusting of your nasal passages are greatly relieved.
Prescription Options: Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)
For a whole lot of people, the pollen is unmistakably the announcement of spring. But if after months of going through washcloth after bathtubfuls of snot and drain cleaner cans full of mucus, it still just doesn't stop…
Telehealth Allergy Services
With telemedicine, you can even get personalized allergy treatment from the comfort of home. Virtually every online medicalization service enables you to talk to an allergist who will help design a treatment strategy suited for your specific needs—be that prescribing drugs or having injections. Maybe just some learned information on how better to avoid my immediate symptoms.
In wrapping this up: you can beat tree pollen allergies
There is no need for tree pollen allergies to ruin the spring for you. With a little bit of preparation and the right countermeasures, pollen season can be bearable. From checking the pollen prognosis to picking the correct medications, there are ways out.
Many have experienced the same hardships as you during allergy season. By dealing with the issue early, your symptoms should be lessened and you could get your saliva spring. Overall, we all should make use of such an opportunity to profit through cooperation in striving for mutual benefit!
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